Our Counselors

Erick Aragon, Ed.D., was born and raised in Southern California and is a proud alumnus of the California Community College system. He began at Orange Coast College before transferring to San Diego State University, where he earned his B.A. in Filipino American History. He later earned an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Illinois University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from San Francisco State University.

His dissertation, Love, Liberation, and Healing: Counterstories of Formerly Incarcerated Pinoys, examines the identity development and educational experiences of formerly incarcerated Filipino men in California.

Since joining De Anza College in 2013, Dr. Aragon has served in leadership and counseling roles with the Men of Color Community (MC2), Rising Scholars, AANAPISI, MPS, and FYE/Summer Bridge programs. His work is grounded in equity, advocacy, and cultural empowerment—creating pathways for historically underrepresented students to thrive personally, academically, and professionally.

Jesus is a first-generation college graduate, born and raised in San Jose. Growing up, education was not a priority. Jesus felt fortunate to have graduated high school. In 2011, Jesus enrolled at De Anza College and was part of the First Year Experience (FYE) program. He began his educational career as a peer adviser and tutor in the Student Success and Retention Services center, where he enjoyed helping new students make a successful transition.

Jesus was awarded the UC Santa Cruz Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award for students who overcome disadvantages and demonstrate a commitment to assisting others. At UC Santa Cruz, he majored in sociology and Latin American and Latino studies, while working as a Peer Adviser for the Educational Opportunity Programs Office and intern for the Ethnic Resource Center. He also worked in Retention Support Services and Services for Transfer and Re-entry Students at UC Santa Cruz. He later earned his master's in Educational Counseling at San Jose State University in 2019.

Jesus emphasizes an atmosphere of acceptance when working with students. He believes that it is important to provide an open space where students can feel comfortable regardless of class, gender, sexuality or race. 

Charles was born and raised in Berkeley, California. Right after high school, he attended Berkeley City College before transferring to San José State University to earn his bachelor's degree in African American Studies, as well as his master's degree in counseling and Guidance.

Prior to joining De Anza College’s Outreach Office, as a Men of Color Counselor, Charles served as a financial aid counselor at Berkeley City College and an Umoja counselor at Evergreen Valley College.